PHOTO: Latest Progress on the Removal of the Sorcerer’s Hat 1/15/15
There’s a little less hat today…
Based on the way they are now cutting into the structure, we can throw away that theory that the Sorcerer’s Hat may ever be rebuilt somewhere else…
PHOTOS: A Look Inside the Trolley Car Cafe Starbucks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The Trolley Car Cafe at Disney’s Hollywood Studios may not be set to open until next month, but we are taking a look inside the new Starbucks location for the first time today…
The facade still looks great and thankfully the patio crammed with plush is no more
The sign mirrors the decorative paint scheme you would find stemming from the light on the front of the Trolley
The vintage style Starbucks sign was added just a few days ago
Menu displays are up as well
Great to see neon signs still being made for this section of the park
The new wrought iron is great too
Looking inside, the back wall against Sunset Boulevard is the service counter, with guests entering through the front on Hollywood Boulevard and exiting through the side door at the intersection of the two Boulevards
It looks like just some interior decorating and training remain before we see the Trolley Car Cafe open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
PHOTO: Mickey’s Hand Vanishes from the Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
We’ve been tracking the demolition of the Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios daily on twitter, but I thought today might be a good day to share a photo on the site:
As you can see, the front of Mickey’s hand is gone, but so is most of the hat above the brim. The demolition is expected to still take a few more weeks, but following that, it is rumored that a permanent stage ill take the place of the Sorcerer’s Hat. Only time will tell…
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror “Authentic” Merchandise Line Arrives February 13th at Disney Parks
Friday, February 13th 2015 will be the official release date for the Hollywood Tower Hotel Authentic line of merchandise (celebrating the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror) coming to the Disney Parks in Florida and California! The products will be available at the attraction’s exit shop at both Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney California Adventure.
With the release of the new merchandise, some of the Disney Design Group artists behind this collection will be appearing at Tower Hotel Gifts on Friday, February 13. This event will be held at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m and Disney Artists Tyler Dumas, Brian Blackmore, Richard Terpstra and Quynh Kimball are scheduled to attend.
What’s Happening New Year’s Eve 2014 At Walt Disney World
Thanksgiving and Christmas haven’t happened yet, but chances are, you’re already thinking ahead and starting to make plans for New Year’s Eve. If you’re going to be ringing in 2015 at Walt Disney World Resort, here’s a rundown of some of the entertainment that’s planned for this year’s celebration.
- Epcot – It’s a night-long party throughout Epcot, with unique entertainment including a DJ and light show at the Future World Fountain Stage, dancing under flame effects and a smoke-billowing dragon in China, a British blast to the past in United Kingdom, Euro-pop and lasers in Italy, and a Latin band and DJ on the America Gardens Stage. Cap it all off with one of two showings of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” fireworks, at 6:00 p.m. or 11:40 p.m., followed by a countdown and pyrotechnic salute to the new year.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Exclusive specialty drinks and food items are available throughout the night, as the Event Stage comes alive with an energetic DJ and performances by Mulch, Sweat & Shears. As midnight approaches, the band takes the stage to count down to 2015 and plays live during a jaw-dropping fireworks spectacular.
- Magic Kingdom Park – You can get a head start on the festivities, with a special New Year’s Eve eve presentation of “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks at 11:50 p.m. on Tuesday, December 30. The same show will be repeated on December 31.
Tell us in the comments below, what are you doing New Year’s Eve?
BREAKING: Turner Classic Movies to Present and Change the Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The reason for the removal of the Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is apparently related to a major update of the Great Movie Ride attraction, thanks to a partnership with Turner Classic Movies.
TCM will help Disney make changes to Great Movie Ride in early 2015, in return Turner Classic Movies will essentially be credited as a sponsor, or presenter of the Great Movie Ride which has operated at the park since it opened in 1989. According to reports, a majority of changes will be made in the pre-show area and in the attraction’s finale.
Among the additions will be a video featuring Robert Osborne , a host from TCM.
The New York Times is confirming these rumors that have been swirling for a few months, but also reports that the deal includes a programming block on the TCM channel that will include classic Disney programming such as the Wonderful world of Color and the Disneyland TV series.
Disney will make an official announcement about the deal on Wednesday.
Full Details on What Changes Are Coming to the Great Movie Ride presented by Turner Classic Movies
Disney has released some official details on the changes coming to the Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2015 as part of the leaked deal with TCM:
- TCM branding will be integrated into the attraction’s marquee, as well, new exhibits curated by Turner Classic Movies will be placed in the display windows outside of the attraction.
- Also outside, guests will find a new attraction poster and banners hanging from the facade.
- In the queue, guests will find find new digital movie posters and a new pre-show video hosted by TCM’s Robert Osborne. Robert will give fascinating insight to movies guests will experience while on the ride.
- The finale of the attraction will indeed feature an all-new montage of classic movie moments.
- After exiting, guests will have a photo opportunity with a classic movie theme.
All of these new elements will be in place by Spring 2015.
Star Wars Weekends 2015 Dates Announced for Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Start planning your trips because the dates for the final Star Wars Weekends event before the release of The Force Awakens have been announced…
Star Wars Weekends will be held every weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) from May 15-June 14, 2015.
- Weekend I: May 15-17, 2015
- Weekend II: May 22-24, 2015
- Weekend III: May 29-31, 2015
- Weekend IV: June 5-7, 2015
- Weekend V: June 12-14, 2015
With the construction taking place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios before and around that time, it remains to be seen how much of the event will return. Disney has confirmed that there will be character greetings, the motorcade, and panels with Star Wars celebrities, but nothing else yet.
RUMOR: “Star Tours: The Adventures Continue” To Add Planets & Characters from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”
The site Star Wars Underworld is claiming that an inside source has informed them that the first Star Wars additions coming to Disney theme parks post-purchase will be additions to Star Tours: The Adventures Continue at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Tokyo Disneyland based on characters and locations from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”.
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue was designed by Disney Imagineers and members of Lucasfilm to easily insert new destinations and characters at any time. With the current iteration of the attraction, any new film sequences could be created and programmed separately and then exported to the ride. meaning any addition would result in little-to-no downtime for the attraction. We have speculated about these additions several times on our podcast, but this is this first outside report.
Recently, we reported that Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed that there will be a much larger presence of Star Wars themed attractions based on the new sequels and spin-offs. Adding new destinations based on “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” to Star Tours would seem to go along with his plans.
Stay tuned as more information becomes available
“Taste of Hollywood” Returns to Hollywood Studios for the Holidays
This Christmas season, Taste of Hollywood to Go at Disney’s Hollywood Studios returns with a delicious meal-to-go and a reserved seat for Fantasmic! From December 24 to 31, the popular Taste of Hollywood To Go option will be returning with a few new entrees, all of which include a reserved seat for Fantasmic!.
The adult menu features a choice of a vegetable sandwich served with ginger-marinated tomatoes and cucumbers, quinoa salad and chocolate cake; shrimp salad served with pita, ginger-marinated tomatoes and cucumbers and mandarin orange cheesecake; golden fried chicken served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes, sweet corn and carrots and warm apple crisp; cold-cut roast beef sandwich with creamy horseradish served with classic potato salad, grilled asparagus and chocolate cake; or California sushi tuna roll served with avocado, orange and tomato salad, ginger-marinated tomatoes and cucumbers and spicy pecan-chocolate cluster.
Kids’ choices include a power pack with strawberry yogurt, apple wedges, carrot sticks with ranch dip, fish crackers, an organic apple cinnamon and oatmeal snack-size sandwich bar or a turkey and American cheese wrap with strawberry yogurt, apple wedges, carrots with ranch dip and a seven-layer cookie bar.
Reservations are now open, and can be made by calling 407-WDW-D407-WDW-DINE up to 24 hours in advance. If you do not have a reservation, you can check the day you are in the park for availability. Meals can be picked up from Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner from 11:00a.m. to 8:00p.m. Choice of Fantasmic! showtime is based on availability, with the number of seats based on the number of meals purchased.